Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Wednesday said bureaucrats must listen to public representatives or “be ready to face action without any showcause notice”. The CM has been receiving complaints from MLAs and mukhiyas about the district magistrates and block development officers not paying heed to complaints of people, especially after Nitish Kumar scrapped the MLALAD funds.

Speaking during a function at Banmankhi in Purnea, the CM said: “I am telling government officials in plain words to listen to public representatives. I will not hesitate to take action against any erring official. They may not be issued showcause notices”. Manjhi had been upset with bureaucrats ever since he was presented with “wrong facts” on the drought situation by some DMs soon after he took over as the Bihar CM.

About the possible cabinet expansion, he said: “It may not be just an expansion of the cabinet but of the grand alliance. The top leaders of JD(U), RJD and Congress will discuss it and take a call soon.”

Asked if Nitish Kumar could become the Bihar CM again, Manjhi told the media: “Anyone can become CM. It could be me, Nitish Kumar or anyone among you.”